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Prelude to World War II: Rise of Fascism in Italy

Explore the origins of World War II through Mussolini's Italy. Learn how Italian militarism, the Communist Party, and Fascism shaped the country's path to conflict. Discover the rise of Mussolini as Prime Minister and the aggressive actions towards Ethiopia.

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Prelude to World War II: Rise of Fascism in Italy

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  1. Origins of World War II The Rise of Militarism: Mussolini & Italy

  2. The Italian Communist Party • Italy on winning side of WWI • Unhappy with the Treaty of Versailles – wanted more • Many Italian veterans could not find jobs due to the Global Depression

  3. The Italian Communist Party • Many joined the Italian Communist Party • Urged Italians to take over land and seize factories

  4. Mussolini & Fascism • Fascism = a military-dominated government controls all aspects of society • Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in 1921 • Goals – • Destroy the communist party • Promote his own power

  5. The clashes between the Communists and the Fascists bordered on civil war in Italy • Blackshirts – Mussolini’s military group • - used torture, gang rape, and murder against opponents

  6. Fascist March On Rome • Oct. 1922 • Mussolini and The Blackshirts occupied Rome • Had the support of: • Nationalists – Wanted to strengthen Italy • Business people – Disliked communism

  7. Mussolini Becomes Prime Minister • Appointed prime minister & given dictatorial powers by the Italian King • Limited the freedom of speech, arrested political opponents, and restricted voting to consolidate his power

  8. Mussolini & Ethiopia • Mussolini had pledged to make Italy an imperialistic power • Sent troops into Ethiopia in 1935 to fulfill this promise • Ethiopia was no match for the Italian army

  9. Mussolini & Ethiopia • The U.S. placed a neutrality act banning arms shipments on both sides • Did not want to be drawn into the conflict • The lack of support for Ethiopia showed Fascist nations that aggression would not be punished

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